State Insurance Office for Consumers Lives to See Another Day

Thursday, October 9th, 2008
by Gardner B.

A few months ago, the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) along with insurance industry representatives started floating the idea that the Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC) should be eliminated.  OPIC is charged with representing the interests of consumers before the Texas Department of Insurance.  The TPPF and insurance industry actually argued that eliminating OPIC would help consumers.

The Sunset Commission recently held a hearing to discuss TDI and OPIC and changes that should occur at those agencies.  A proposal was presented to eliminate OPIC.  The insurance industry showed up to speak in favor of the proposal.  It’s not surprising that they would support a proposal that would lessen consumer protection.  However, Mike Geeslin, the state’s insurance commissioner argued against eliminating OPIC stating that it was important that OPIC remain an independent office.

Fortunately, for consumers the Sunset Commission voted to keep OPIC as a separate agency for 12 more years before it is reviewed again.  Let’s hope some changes in state leadership are made before then so that we have leadership that doesn’t believe that eliminating consumer protections is good for consumers.